Bals. See Balsamum. Mechoacana Alba, (from Mechoachan, a province in Mexico, whence it was brought). Rhabar-barum album, convolvulus Americanus, jalapa alba, bryonia alba Peruviana, mechoacan. It is the root of an American species of convolvulus, chiefly brought from a province in Mexico; but its flower has not been so accurately described as to enable us to ascertain strictly to what genus it belongs. In the later works of Linnaeus it has been referred to the genus convolvulus, with the trivial name of mechoaeana, but with no peculiar precision. It is cut into thin transverse slices, like jalap; but is larger, whiter, and softer. This root was first brought into Europe in 1524, as a mild cathartic, which, having but little taste or smell, was thought not to offend the stomach; but the common jalap hath superseded its use. The phytolacca decandria Lin. Sp. Pl. 630, furnishes the Canadian mechoaeana. See Raii Historia; Tournefort's Materia Medica.

Mechoacana nigra-. A name of the jalap in common use. (See Jalapa.) The Brasilians call it jetecucu.